Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 4.djvu/245

 POLITICS IN PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS 227

Every one of the ninety-two counties of the state has a poor-farm, or county asylum. The superintendent is, so far as our pretty extensive information indicates, always selected from the dominant party, that is, by the majority of the county commissioners. It is considered a part of the duties of the superintendent to see that the inmates vote for his party. There are nearly two thousand such voters in the state. In those counties where the political parties are of nearly equal strength the change of superintendents is fre- quent. Many county asylums have undoubtedly been very badly managed, but it is conceded that on the whole some improvement has been made in this respect. Some of the present incumbents have taken a most commend- able interest in the work, both of the National Conference of Charities and Correction and of the Indiana State Conference of Charities. Vast room for improvement remains, however, in most of the counties, and the merit system in these institutions seems yet a long way off.

There are but few public hospitals in the state. The City Hospital at Indianapolis is the most prominent, and it is under political management and control.

With reference to county and municipal institutions of correction and restraint the tale is soon told. They are all under political man- agement. The work of the Board of State Charities in visiting and inspecting thera has had a helpful influence, but there are the usual and universal marks of political control. The complaints are not of political favoritism in the treatment of prisoners, though such cases may occur. The faults are frequent changes, inexperience, unfitness of attendants, general laxness. It is, perhaps, inevitable that small institutions, not justifying the employment of specialists, should con- tinue to have many of the faults here found. At present, however, the difference is slight between the smaller and larger cities, in this regard. We will conclude the consideration of the whole subject with the words of Mr. Alexander Johnson. He says in a letter to the com- mittee :

I believe that without an enlightened and vigorous public sentiment the very best scheme will go astray. It is a commonplace that the stream can- not rise higher than its source, and I do not believe any adroit machinery will secure good and honest government for a nation of tricksters and thieves. Hence, I believe that every effort should be made to enlighten the public mind, and especially should faithful service of the state command public approval from the reformers.

THE NORTHWEST. From the great Northwest no details of value have come. A wit- ness from Nebraska testifies that civil-service reform has yet work to